Author: Lori Ann Iannotti
Unit: Plate Tectonics


Title: The Natural Phenomena of Plate Tectonics (cont.)


Lesson Overview
This lesson is a continuation of the jigsaw activity from yesterday. Students will be the teachers today in their expert groups. In these groups the students who are not teaching will be learning from the other students. They will record the missing information in their graphic organizers and ask each other questions to clarify material.

Objectives
1. Students will explain evidence for the theory of plate tectonics from the varying scientific articles.
2. Students will demonstrate writing and summarizing skills



Materials
Graphic organizer
Scientific articles
Writing rubric


Links to Resources
http://geology.com/press-release/south-american-plate-moves/
http://geology.com/articles/san-andreas-fault.shtml
http://geology.com/usgs/hawaiian-hot-spot/
http://geology.com/volcanoes/galeras/



Safety Issues



Instruction


Opening
Question of the day: same as yesterday. Today we are going to complete the jigsaw activity. The teacher makes sure all of the students know where they are going before the activity begins. The teacher also reminds the students that they will need all of the information to complete the 2-3 paragraphs that they need to write on this topic, and that they will be graded on it.


Learning Activities


Closing
The class comes back together as a whole, and the teacher has the students of the expert groups question non-expert students about their article. Only students from the non-expert groups are allowed to answer. After a few question have been asked from each expert group, the students are allowed to ask any clarifying questions about the article. Finally the students are reminded


Assessment
Students will be assessed on their writing assignments.

As an informal assessment of the student’s knowledge of the topics will be taken note of during the group activity.


Homework
2-3 paragraphs explaining how plate tectonics are responsible for these natural phenomena


Additional Notes
It is vital during a jigsaw activity to circle the room. This will help keep the students on task.